Speculation: Penguins off day talk thread: Yes, Sully is still the coach

[HandshakeLine]

99% of this team's problems could be avoided by being realistic about the lineup and tailoring the system to their actual abilities.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Probably Graves?

Graves got something to do with it.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Graves is the worst singer of the Misfits, bar none, that's for sure.

 

[Ugene Magic]

99% of this team's problems could be avoided by being realistic about the lineup and tailoring the system to their actual abilities.

Their abilities are to fall behind early, noodle for fish, and get pulled under by the big ones and drown...

 

[Josey Wales]

Well we knew this about EK's defense.
The idea behind a guy like him is that his blunders would be offset by getting geriatric Sid and Geno the puck more/in better positions for transitional goals.

The issue is this coach refuses to adjust his strategy from 2017

What Magical Strategy is going to defeat Father Time who is undefeated?? I'll wait

 

[HandshakeLine]

Their abilities are to fall behind early, noodle for fish, and get pulled under by the big ones and drown...

So, then we pack a life preserver instead of tying weights to our ankles.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

99% of this team's problems could be avoided by being realistic about the lineup and tailoring the system to their actual abilities.

You mean like give Karlsson free reign to do what he does best instead of trying make him more conservative?

 

[Ugene Magic]

So, then we pack a life preserver instead of tying weights to our ankles.

Or... tie off to a hot air balloon. Dubas should suffice.

Yes..... problem solved!

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

You mean like give Karlsson free reign to do what he does best instead of trying make him more conservative?

"Don't worry Penguins fans... I know you thought you were getting an extremely dynamic defenseman who is capable of 100+ point seasons, running a powerplay nearly single-handedly and skating the puck and making plays in traffic but we are gonna work diligently to make sure we fix all that. We here at the Pittsburgh Penguins hear you and understand that excitement and fun is scary and unnatural. "

-Mike Sullivan probably

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Or... tie off to a hot air balloon. Dubas should suffice.

Yes..... problem solved!

Imagine his reaction if ever passing the 2nd round...

 

[SomeDude]

This coaching staff is going to make Karlsson go from chewing snus during games to just mowing down a pack of Marlboro reds on the bench every period.

 

[Josey Wales]

What Magical Strategy is going to defeat Father Time who is undefeated?? I'll wait

Very Good Argument

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

This coaching staff is going to make Karlsson go from chewing snus during games to just mowing down a pack of Marlboro reds on the bench every period.

Parliaments but yes.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I've been real checked out for years re: this era but that quote by Sully about fixing EK's game or whatever just f***ing stomped the soul out of the farewell tour for me. This shit's barely background noise while I do other things anymore. That dude sucks.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

We should swap Sully for Tomlin just to see if the excuses remain the same for both coaches

 

[PensFutures]

This coaching staff is going to make Karlsson go from chewing snus during games to just mowing down a pack of Marlboro reds on the bench every period.

It worked for Peter Taglianetti.

 

[molon labe]

Invite the correction of rationale - but I doubt that comes. So, here's some perspective for everyone: [With an all-but assured .500 hockey (at best) from Head Coach Sullivan + This (current) roster]:

1. Sullivan is fired New Years day. We have 6 games leading to Jan.1. Meaning there will be 47 games remaining for the oncoming coach and we will have amassed ~ 35 points on the season. That new coach will need to go 30-17 once taking over for us to MAYBE make the playoffs.

2. This roster needs an overhaul. Specifically you NEED Rakell/Smith (or both) swapped out and/or Graves swapped out. That's before even considering the bottom 6. One move HAS to happen, 2 or more moves LIKELY need to happen.

3. Based on the track record of the new owners / Dubas - the new coaches will get at LEAST 5-10 games of their own before that roster is addressed.

So.... best case scenario here folks, is that we get a coaching change and are faced with requiring the Penguins go roughly 27-10.

So essentially - based on what we've seen from this front office - they've thrown in the towel on this season so perhaps we should too. Each passing day at this point is a another small cut and we're already nearing the point of no return. This, by the way, is the stuff within OUR control. What if other teams don't want to make any deals? Without a roster change we're F'd. We can fire the coach and pray - but you need both to happen. If other teams clutch their guys until the TDL I'm afraid you're looking at an almost impossibility for us to even make the playoffs let alone "compete."

 

[Malkinstheman]

EK.

This year is going to be EK and Malkin's fault. Can already feel it coming.

Pretty convenient how random things keep going wrong with the team since 2018. Sullivans gotta be the unluckiest coach out there. Poor guy can't catch a break!

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Invite the correction of rationale - but I doubt that comes. So, here's some perspective for everyone: [With an all-but assured .500 hockey (at best) from Head Coach Sullivan + This (current) roster]:

1. Sullivan is fired New Years day. We have 6 games leading to Jan.1. Meaning there will be 47 games remaining for the oncoming coach and we will have amassed ~ 35 points on the season. That new coach will need to go 30-17 once taking over for us to MAYBE make the playoffs.

2. This roster needs an overhaul. Specifically you NEED Rakell/Smith (or both) swapped out and/or Graves swapped out. That's before even considering the bottom 6. One move HAS to happen, 2 or more moves LIKELY need to happen.

3. Based on the track record of the new owners / Dubas - the new coaches will get at LEAST 5-10 games of their own before that roster is addressed.

So.... best case scenario here folks, is that we get a coaching change and are faced with requiring the Penguins go roughly 27-10.

So essentially - based on what we've seen from this front office - they've thrown in the towel on this season so perhaps we should too. Each passing day at this point is a another small cut and we're already nearing the point of no return. This, by the way, is the stuff within OUR control. What if other teams don't want to make any deals? Without a roster change we're F'd. We can fire the coach and pray - but you need both to happen. If other teams clutch their guys until the TDL I'm afraid you're looking at an almost impossibility for us to even make the playoffs let alone "compete."

Yes.

But for the sake of a devil's advocate kind of argument... this roster is FAR better than it's shown IMO. And perhaps we would be surprised at what a major shakeup like the staff getting deep-sixed might do. These guys look like a group just going through the motions. I know they are old but what I'm seeing out there isn't a case of them trying their little ancient hearts out only to come up short. It's a bunch of guys skating around rather aimlessly because they are being paid to and nothing more.

If there even IS a message it's long since stopped resonating. There is no belief and it's obvious.

 

[Gurglesons]

Yes.

But for the sake of a devil's advocate kind of argument... this roster is FAR better than it's shown IMO. And perhaps we would be surprised at what a major shakeup like the staff getting deep-sixed might do. These guys look like a group just going through the motions. I know they are old but what I'm seeing out there isn't a case of them trying their little ancient hearts out only to come up short. It's a bunch of guys skating around rather aimlessly because they are being paid to and nothing more.

Nope. This team was destroyed by the hand of Ron Hextall. Imagine trying to make the playoffs with this squad, it would be a miraculous task when you've befallen what the previous management did while not having a single conversation with Mike Sullivan one of the most creative minds in hockey.

Can you imagine how good this team would be with Tanev and McCann?

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Nope. This team was destroyed by the hand of Ron Hextall. Imagine trying to make the playoffs with this squad, it would be a miraculous task when you've befallen what the previous management did while not having a single conversation with Mike Sullivan one of the most creative minds in hockey.

When you have up to five HOF players on your powerplay how can you realistically expect to be any good at it? You need at least ten. This is clearly a combination of the stars being difficult to coach because we all know they have been divas their whole career combined with the Ghosts of GM's Past continuing to haunt this team despite multiple roster turnovers since.

 

[molon labe]

Yes.

But for the sake of a devil's advocate kind of argument... this roster is FAR better than it's shown IMO. And perhaps we would be surprised at what a major shakeup like the staff getting deep-sixed might do. These guys look like a group just going through the motions. I know they are old but what I'm seeing out there isn't a case of them trying their little ancient hearts out only to come up short. It's a bunch of guys skating around rather aimlessly because they are being paid to and nothing more.

If there even IS a message it's long since stopped resonating. There is no belief and it's obvious.

I agree so not sure if we're even going devil's advocate here other than you saying "so you're saying there's a chance" based on coaching alone.

In that case, I disagree. This team has been a 1 line team for several seasons. Geno is still allowed to do whatever he wants so no new coach is shifting that. The problem there has been on the wall for a while - he probably need to shift to wing and just focus on using that amazing shot placement (hence why he looks so good with Sid and why JT Miller WAS the play).

We have a true stud #1C that keeps us from looking like ass. Then a pretty big drop off for 2C (no slight to Geno, great player mediocre 2C at this point) - then an absolute suicide cliff jump at 3C 4C. The only saving grace to this roster is an actual offensive weapon that EK has proven NOT to be. Unfortunately. They need another scorer injected into the lineup and instead of Tarasenko we got Reilly Smith. Maybe Puustinen does it I don't know. But it ain't what we've seen. It's Sid or bust.

Now, maybe you're right. I've seen the Bruins go deep on 1 single scoring line. Maybe the Geno/Sid/Jake line coupled with out of this world faceoff and defensive metrics gets her done. Just not something we've ever seen as a successful brand for Pittsburgh.

All that said - the games played/games remaining are right there. The fact that Sully hasn't been fired as of this morning tells me we're getting at LEAST another 6 games from him meaning we will absolutely need to go on a world-beating pace after he's fired (and that's lofty assuming that can even happen).

I wouldn't be surprised at this point if they asked Sid to waive and leave this organization before moving on from Sully. Ridiculous? Maybe a year ago. Today? I genuinely think they worship the guy.

 

[Darren McCord]

Nope. This team was destroyed by the hand of Ron Hextall. Imagine trying to make the playoffs with this squad, it would be a miraculous task when you've befallen what the previous management did while not having a single conversation with Mike Sullivan one of the most creative minds in hockey.

Can you imagine how good this team would be with Tanev and McCann?

or signing erod instead of mcginn?

 

[molon labe]

Nope. This team was destroyed by the hand of Ron Hextall. Imagine trying to make the playoffs with this squad, it would be a miraculous task when you've befallen what the previous management did while not having a single conversation with Mike Sullivan one of the most creative minds in hockey.

Can you imagine how good this team would be with Tanev and McCann?

Tanev hit someone hard that one time. Instant dog house from Sully for life.

He'd rather our guys get chased and look over their shoulders and just play the right way. Because the right way is looking like a mid-grinder with no physical instincts.

Granted Tanev's contract was absurd he's absolutely the type of player this team needs. McCann was....mixed bag. Would he have ever blossomed here idk - but he's certainly a great case and point to what Sullivan does to bottom 6 pieces.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I agree so not sure if we're even going devil's advocate here other than you saying "so you're saying there's a chance" based on coaching alone.

In that case, I disagree. This team has been a 1 line team for several seasons. Geno is still allowed to do whatever he wants so no new coach is shifting that. The problem there has been on the wall for a while - he probably need to shift to wing and just focus on using that amazing shot placement (hence why he looks so good with Sid and why JT Miller WAS the play).

We have a true stud #1C that keeps us from looking like ass. Then a pretty big drop off for 2C (no slight to Geno, great player mediocre 2C at this point) - then an absolute suicide cliff jump at 3C 4C. The only saving grace to this roster is an actual offensive weapon that EK has proven NOT to be. Unfortunately. They need another scorer injected into the lineup and instead of Tarasenko we got Reilly Smith. Maybe Puustinen does it I don't know. But it ain't what we've seen. It's Sid or bust.

Now, maybe you're right. I've seen the Bruins go deep on 1 single scoring line. Maybe the Geno/Sid/Jake line coupled with out of this world faceoff and defensive metrics gets her done. Just not something we've ever seen as a successful brand for Pittsburgh.

All that said - the games played/games remaining are right there. The fact that Sully hasn't been fired as of this morning tells me we're getting at LEAST another 6 games from him meaning we will absolutely need to go on a world-beating pace after he's fired (and that's lofty assuming that can even happen).

I wouldn't be surprised at this point if they asked Sid to waive and leave this organization before moving on from Sully. Ridiculous? Maybe a year ago. Today? I genuinely think they worship the guy.

I guess I'm just saying that I don't think this roster should be anything less than "makes the playoffs with games to spare" even as they sit, now. The underachieving is team-wide. That points to one thing.